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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

N'Golo Kante to leave Chelsea? Frank Lampard rules out summer exit after 'Inter fail with bid'

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has ruled out a summer exit for N'Golo Kante.

Kante struggled for form and fitness during Lampard first season in charge, making just 22 Premier League appearances.

Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is reportedly keen to bring him to Inter, making a player-plus-cash offer including either Christian Eriksen or Marcelo Brozovic.

The Blues reportedly rejected the bid and Lampard has since underlined Kante's importance to his team.

Lampard told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think pretty much every club in the world would want N’Golo Kante.

"I saw those reports as well. He's an incredible player and I certainly don't want to lose him, no. He’s fundamental to what I’m trying to do.

"We can obviously talk about the attacking players we have but someone like N’Golo and the work he does in midfield.

"It was a difficult year for him last year because of the injuries. He came into the season with an injury and it was a domino effect through the year which he hasn’t had and was probably the culmination of game, game, game for himself so I’m really excited to have him fit.

"He looks fit and fresh at the moment so, no, he’s a big deal to me and of course I want to keep N’Golo."

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